Nikolay Goldobin gets another chance to show what he has learned.Ethan Miller/Getty Images / PNG

Canucks determined to develop winger rather than trade polarizing player

DENVER — Nikolay Goldobin has watched more game film than Netflix.

In reclaiming his roster spot, the mercurial Vancouver Canucks winger put down the popcorn and picked up on his shortcomings to earn the trust of coach Travis Green.

After sitting out four consecutive games and six of the last nine, he was reunited with Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser on Saturday while Markus Granlund was scratched.

And if you think the Canucks are simply showcasing the restricted free agent in advance of the Feb. 25 trade deadline, think again.

“That’s not the case,” insisted general manager Jim Benning. “He’s a good kid and wants to do well, and he’s progressing to get better and that’s part of development. It’s also the skill set that makes it worth our time to get that out of him.

“We’re going to continue to work with him and hope that he can get to where he needs to be.

“I’m hoping he’s going to be hungry to do the things he’s capable of and the things he’s been working on. When he’s on, he has good chemistry with Petey. With young players it’s more about consistency and we need that every night. He’s just going through a learning process.”

What the Canucks have learned is the 23-year-old restricted free agent has had his moments — seven points (1-6) in a seven-game stretch in late October and a November to remember by starting the month with 11 points (3-8) in 10 games. He has also gone 13 games without scoring and his play without the puck was waning.

So after instruction on the ice and in the film room, where is Goldobin at?

“I couldn’t wait to get back on the ice, especially after the break, and I’m excited to go,” said Goldobin. “I’ve learned certain things and everyone knows what it is. I think I’ve improved and we’ll see. It was obviously frustrating that I wasn’t playing, but I’m glad to be back. I know they (management) believe in me and I’m trying to do my best and help the team make the playoffs.

“I don’t think a lot of people believe in us, but we have a good shot.”

The Canucks know all about Nikolay Goldobin, left, and his offensive upside, but it was his play without the puck that led to a stretch of press-box assignments.Darryl Dyck /
The Canadian Press

Goldobin is an effortless skater and that can lead to the perception that he’s gliding more than going full out. And when he isn’t aggressive on the forecheck to go after pucks and create turnovers — or hustling back in support to ensure he’s got his check — he can become a polarizing player.

Goldobin does things you can’t teach because of natural offensive talent. He was still tied for third on the club with 18 assists and fourth in points with 23 heading into Saturday’s meeting with the Colorado Avalanche. Part of that is a penchant to defer to Pettersson and part of that is still finding his way.

“We’re kind of similar players and he’s super skilled, so I thought we had chemistry to start the year,” Goldobin said of Pettersson. “Thirty games left and every one is like a playoff game.”

Green isn’t into head games. He’s into getting the best out of every player on an individual basis and ensuring they understand the collective goal of being players you can win with — now and in the future. And that’s where he’s at with Goldobin.

If there was no upside, there might be trade debate. Now, there’s curiosity about whether he can rekindle his offence through better and stronger puck possession and develop consistency in all facets of his game.

What does Green need to see?

“A little quicker getting to places and a little stronger in his one-on-one battles — even when he has the puck,” said the coach. “Being able to get away from someone when you have the puck in the corner. At this time of the year, the game tightens up so you’ve got to fight for space.

“He’s got a lot of attributes that we need at this time of year. He can make plays through the neutral zone and offensive zone and I want Goldy to play well. Not just for him, but for us. It’s confidence, and he’s gone through a tough stretch and we’ve been open and honest with him. It’s not scolding. It’s talking and wanting him to do it for himself and the team.”

It also means Goldobin’s line has to press the issue more to retrieve pucks before doing something with them.

“They’re creating offence, and the one thing we need from that line is to not just be a rush line.” said Green. “I want them to be a rush line and make good plays, but they’ve got to get the puck back as well.”

NEXT GAME: MONDAY

• White Towel Podcast: Columnist Ed Willes and Paul Chapman talk about what the NHL All-Star Game meant to Vancouver rookie Elias Pettersson and how the experience of a young player being included with the game’s greats is often overlooked, the Canucks’ trade market, and last week’s “Pricklygate:”

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